This chapter provides an overview of the science of studying the Earth system, with a focus on understanding the connections among phenomena that can be traced through the energy, hydrological and biogeochemical cycles, on a range of time and...(View More) spatial scales. A section on seasonal cycles deepens student understanding of environmental data collected using GLOBE protocols. GLOBE field protocols and learning activities connected to this chapter are found in the Earth system science section of the GLOBE Teacher's Guide.(View Less)

This is a lesson where learners explore how the creation and destruction of ozone protects us from ultraviolet radiation (UV). Learners will kinesthetically model the depletion of ozone caused by chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) molecules; use ultraviolet...(View More) beads to "discover" ultraviolet radiation, and discuss the effects of ultraviolet radiation on humans; model and create a poster of how ozone is created and destroyed and how this process helps to protect us from ultraviolet radiation; and read about the ozone layer and model the depletion of ozone due to CFC molecules. The lesson models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes, prerequisite concepts, common misconceptions, student journal and reading. This is the sixth lesson in the Astro-Venture Atmospheric Science Training Unit. The purpose of the unit is to increase students' awareness of and interest in astrobiology and the many career opportunities that utilize science, math and technology skills. The lessons are designed for educators to use in conjunction with the Astro-Venture multimedia modules.(View Less)

In this concluding lesson to the Astro-Venture Atmospheric Unit, students review and summarize their learning in a final project. Learners will draw and explain concept maps that show how the gases in the atmosphere interact with many different...(View More) systems to support human habitability. They also write a superhero comic book explaining how superheroes representing elements combine their powers to protect the Earth's habitability. The lesson models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes, prerequisite concepts, common misconceptions, student journal and reading. This is the eighth lesson in the Astro-Venture Atmospheric Science Training Unit. The purpose of the unit is to increase students' awareness of and interest in astrobiology and the many career opportunities that utilize science, math and technology skills. The lessons are designed for educators to use in conjunction with the Astro-Venture multimedia modules.(View Less)

Learners will use the inquiry process to explore the affect of atmosphere on the temperature of a planet. They create a model of the system to test. They then create a concept map of the planetary temperature system. The lesson models scientific...(View More) inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes, prerequisite concepts, common misconceptions, student journal and reading. This is lesson 10 in the Astro-Venture Astronomy Unit. The lessons are designed for educators to use in conjunction with the Astro-Venture multimedia modules.(View Less)

This is a lesson where learners review the basic requirements for human survival. Using an online, multimedia module, they change amounts of gases in our atmosphere and draw conclusions about the amount of each gas that is necessary for human...(View More) survival. The lesson models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes, prerequisite concepts, misconception, student journal and reading, including career-related fact sheets. This is the first lesson in the Astro-Venture Atmospheric Science Training Unit. The purpose of the unit is to increase students' awareness of and interest in astrobiology and the many career opportunities that utilize science, math and technology skills. The lessons are designed for educators to use in conjunction with the Astro-Venture multimedia modules.(View Less)

This is a lesson where learners are introduced to chemical change and the conservation of matter during different types of chemical changes. The lesson models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes,...(View More) prerequisite concepts, common misconceptions, student journal and reading. This is the fourth lesson in the Astro-Venture Atmospheric Science Training Unit. The purpose of the unit is to increase students' awareness of and interest in astrobiology and the many career opportunities that utilize science, math and technology skills. The lessons are designed for educators to use in conjunction with the Astro-Venture multimedia modules.(View Less)

In this lesson, students use an online, multimedia module to simulate the techniques that scientists might use to find a planet that has the atmospheric conditions required for human habitability. Learners will learn about NASA research and careers...(View More) in atmospheric sciences. The lesson models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes, prerequisite concepts, common misconceptions, student journal and reading. This is the ninth lesson in the Astro-Venture Atmospheric Science Training Unit. The purpose of the unit is to increase students' awareness of and interest in astrobiology and the many career opportunities that utilize science, math and technology skills. The lessons are designed for educators to use in conjunction with the Astro-Venture multimedia modules.(View Less)

This is a lesson where learners explore the benefits of an inert gas (nitrogen) to life. The lesson models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes, prerequisite concepts, common misconceptions, student journal...(View More) and reading. This is lesson 7 in the Astro-Venture Atmospheric Science Training Unit. The purpose of the unit is to increase students' awareness of and interest in astrobiology and the many career opportunities that utilize science, math and technology skills. The lessons are designed for educators to use in conjunction with the Astro-Venture multimedia modules.(View Less)

In this lesson, students are introduced to atoms, molecules, and elements. Learners will build constructions out of different types of building materials as a metaphor for atoms and molecules. They interpret different symbolic representations for...(View More) molecules and kinesthetically model the bonding of different atoms into molecules. The lesson models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes, prerequisite concepts, common misconceptions, student journal and reading. This is the second lesson in the Astro-Venture Atmospheric Science Training Unit. The purpose of the unit is to increase students’ awareness of and interest in astrobiology and the many career opportunities that utilize science, math and technology skills. The lessons are designed for educators to use in conjunction with the Astro-Venture multimedia modules.(View Less)

This is a lesson where learners engage in a radiating heat activity and an activity that measures temperature in models with and without greenhouse gases. Learners will draw conclusions about the effect of greenhouse gases on temperature and on...(View More) human life and kinesthetically model the absorbing and re-radiation of heat. The lesson models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes, prerequisite concepts, common misconceptions, student journal and reading. This is lesson 3 in the Astro-Venture Atmospheric Science Training Unit. The purpose of the unit is to increase students’ awareness of and interest in astrobiology and the many career opportunities that utilize science, math and technology skills. The lessons are designed for educators to use in conjunction with the Astro-Venture multimedia modules.(View Less)